Darius Slay hasn't played for the Detroit Lions since 2019, and the team is still in pursuit of a cornerback who can play to his level.
Slay was traded from the Lions to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020 after a prolonged beef when then-Lions head coach Matt Patricia. The former First-Team All-Pro and interceptions leader went on to be named to three more Pro Bowls with the Eagles, while also winning a Super Bowl -- leading all players with five pass deflections throughout the 2024-25 playoffs.
Meanwhile in Detroit, the Lions have struggled to draft his replacement. Some fans have taken to calling these struggles the "Curse of Darius Slay," which received another layer when the Lions released 2024 first-round draft pick Terrion Arnold earlier this week after his arrest in Florida. Arnold has denied all charges.
Slay, who retired in March after one season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, didn't actually curse the Lions like he's WWE's Danhausen. As recently as last season, Slay expressed interest in one last run in Detroit. On top of that, Slay was reunited with Patricia for one season in Philadelphia during the 2023 season, when Patricia was hired as the Eagles' senior defensive assistant.
Whether you want to attribute this "curse" to Slay, to former safety Quandre Diggs, who was also traded in relation to beef with Patrica, or to Patricia himself, the fact remains the Lions can't seem to get the CB position right.
CBs the Lions drafted post-Slay:
Player | Draft Year | Pick | Seasons w/ DET | Games | Starts | INTs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jeff Okudah | 2020 | Round 1, Pick 3 | 3 | 50 | 31 | 2 |
Ifeatu Melifonwu | 2021 | Round 3, Pick 101 | 4 | 53 | 22 | 3 |
Chase Lucas | 2022 | Round 7, Pick 237 | 2 | 33 | 0 | 0 |
Terrion Arnold | 2024 | Round 1, Pick 24 | 2 | 24 | 22 | 1 |
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. | 2024 | Round 2, Pick 61 | 2+ | 8 | 0 | 0 |
Keith Abney II | 2026 | Round 5, Pick 157 | Rookie | 0 | 0 | 0 |
There's a lot to unpack when looking at the CBs the Lions drafted after trading away Slay. The first name that might stand out is Ifeatu Melifonwu. Melifonwu played in more seasons in Detroit than any of the other names as it stands now, along with more games and more interceptions.
But that's not necessarily why his name stands out. It's because he played safety throughout his career. He did play CB at Syracuse, was drafted as one, and did play some snaps there in the NFL, but Melifonwu has predominately played safety.
If you include Melifonwu, and remove incoming rookie Keith Abney II, Lions' drafted CBs have averaged 2.6 seasons with the team, with 33.6 games, 15 starts, and 1.2 interceptions. That's not far off from Arnold's two seasons of 24 games, 22 starts, and one INT.
If you remove Melifonwu on top of Abney, those averages drop to 2.25 seasons, with 28.75 games, 13.25 starts, and 0.75 INTs. This is all out of a possible 101 games from the 2020 season onward.
Of all those CBs the Lions drafted, only three are currently on an NFL roster: Abney and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. are still with the Lions, while Chase Lucas joined numerous former Lions in Tampa Bay after signing with the Buccaneers in April.
Infamous Lions draft bust Jeff Okudah is currently a free agent after his six-game stint with the Minnesota Vikings, and has switched teams every year since his time in Detroit ended. Melifonwu, also a free agent, played 16 games with the Miami Dolphins in 2025.
What could've been and what could still be in Detroit
It isn't just the CBs not panning out that have led to the perception of a curse, but also who they didn't bring in. For example, the Lions drafted two CBs in 2024, but neither were Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, who the Eagles selected. Both Mitchell and DeJean are now First-Team All-Pros, who played pivotal roles in that Super Bowl win alongside Slay.
Yes, Mitchell and DeJean were both taken ahead of Arnold and Rakestraw in their respective rounds. Still, the Lions did trade up to take Arnold two spots after the Mitchell pick. It's easy to wish for them to have move just a bit further ahead and taken Mitchell, or stayed put and taken DeJean.
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But that's all with the benefit of hindsight. The Lions did not draft any of these CBs, or passed on others, knowing how their careers would pan out. Even then, some of their stories remain unfinished. Rakestraw could be a hidden gem if he remains healthy. Abney is seen by many as a draft steal, who has a history of rising to the occasion when called upon.
Either one of those two young Lions could absolutely break this "curse" and become a star in the NFL. For all we know, the search for the next "Big Play" CB in Detroit could already be over.
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